Due to Darrel Garrettson (ankle, out for the season) and Conor Blount’s (knee, out for Saturday) injuries, the Oregon State Beavers’ QB depth chart is thinner than ever. They are now down to third-stringer Marcus McMaryion. The sophomore was able to play some snaps last week against Utah, completing 5-of-9 passes for 76 yards and one TD. It was a respectable production, especially since it was against a 21st-ranked defense.
Given the limited experience, lack of effective receivers, and the tough Huskies defense, it is unlikely for McMaryion to have a similarly effective performance at Washington. His main support in moving the chains will be running backs Ryan Nall and Art Pierce, who are collectively rushing 121 yards per game. Here’s the bad news, though: both backs are questionable for Saturday.
So, yeah, the 88th-ranked offense of the Beavers just got gloomier, with three key contributor in the points department out or hurt.
Moving over to the defensive side, it’s a little brighter, at least in terms of containing QBs. The team is 22nd in passing yards allowed (179.5) and 33rd in opposing QB’s comp. rate (55 percent). We’ll find out how well they can handle Jake Browning and his offense.
The Beavers have lost 10 straight games on the road (3-7 ATS).
After putting the entire college football world on notice with their 38-point thrashing of the Stanford Cardinal on Week 5, Washington then obliterated the Oregon Ducks in Week 6, 70-21. The Huskies have little flaws on offense or defense, as evidenced by their being rated third and seventh, respectively.
QB Jake Browning is continuing his strong campaign for the Heisman. The sophomore is leading the nation in completion rate with 72.2, and he is a close second in TD passes with 24, resulting in four games with a 200-plus passer rating in six outings this season.
Helping Browning reach those fantastic numbers have been receivers John Ross and Dante Pettis, who collectively have 716 yards and 15 TDs in just 53 receptions. The duo has accounted for more TDs than the rest of the team combined. The backfield, meanwhile, is led by Myles Gaskin, who’s averaging 100 yards per game this season, and has 297 rushing yards in his past two.
On defense, the Huskies have been excellent as well. Although they are permitting QBs to complete 62-percent of their passes (a bit high for a top-ranked team), they are only giving up 177 passing yards per per game. Further, they are giving up the 18th fewest total yards (317) on offense and ninth fewest yards per play (4.4).
The Huskies have won five straight games at home (4-1 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (-36.5) will blowout Oregon State, but won’t cover the spread.
